The bowmouth guitarfish (Rhina ancylostomus) has existed in its current form for millions of years. Millions. It outlasted the dinosaurs. It was swimming through ancient Indo-Pacific seas long before humans ever set foot on a coastline. Its common name comes from its longbow-shaped mouth and guitar-shaped body.

Bowmouth guitarfish is Critically Endangered — the highest risk category before extinction in the wild. Fishing records suggest we've lost more than 80% of the species in recent years. Aquarium representatives from around the world, along with academic partners and conservation leaders, gathered at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago to discuss how aquariums can help prevent the extinction of bowmouth guitarfish

South Carolina's tidal marshes are some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Spartina grass filters runoff. Fiddler crabs aerate the mud. Shrimp, redfish, and blue crab breed in the shallow creeks. And oyster reefs — the foundation of it all — armor the shoreline against the relentless energy of boat wake and storm surge.

But those reefs are disappearing. Dredging, development, and decades of harvest without adequate restoration have stripped the hard substrate that oyster larvae need to survive. A larval oyster — microscopic, swimming blind on tiny hair-like cilia — has roughly three weeks to find a suitable hard surface before it dies. In many stretches of South Carolina's coast, that surface is gone. The larvae drift past, settle in mud, and perish.

Dr. Blake C. Scott transformed a pandemic evacuation into Charleston's first urban ecological corridor. In early 2020, he was teaching students in Havana about how landscapes reflect human history, from revolutions to ecotourism. When COVID-19 forced an abrupt college evacuation, Scott sought a local project to apply those lessons. The answer was in his backyard: Halsey Creek, which was suffering from development, trash, and ecological degradation. Its natural functions—water filtration, storm-surge protection, and habitat for fish and birds—were declining.

Working with the Preservation Society of Charleston and the College of Charleston Library, Dr. Scott spent months reconstructing the story of Gibbs Landing and Halsey Creek. What emerged was not just local history but a chronicle of four centuries – every event these waters witnessed. His class canvassed and educated the neighbors of Wagener Terrace about their history, from the English settlers' first landing across the Ashley River to the British encampment during the Revolutionary War and to its use as a Civil War prisoner-of-war camp.

In 2022, Blake and two neighbors organized a marsh cleanup with 50 people. The group became known as the M.A.R.S.H. Project. Dr. Scott and co-founders proved that a community that knows its landscape and history will act to protect it, and that joy and connection are key tools for conservation. The acronym stands for the Marsh Appreciation and Restoration Society for Happiness, emphasizing happiness.

Sustainable seafood isn't a trend. It's one of the most direct, actionable ways consumers can protect ocean ecosystems. And it's more achievable than you might think — especially when trusted vendors, smart tools, and a little knowledge are all on your side.

In June 2026, the National Science Foundation moved to tear out 900 ocean sensors tracking marine heatwaves, fishery health, and the Atlantic current system, some fear is weakening. Bipartisan backlash — led by senators from Oregon and Alaska — forced a reversal within weeks. The House vote that makes it permanent is still ahead.

Oyster shell recycling — and it's happening at scale. Right now, at least 29 major programs along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts are collecting shucked shells from restaurants and the public, curing them, then deploying them back into coastal waters where baby oysters can latch on and grow. The result isn't just a reef. It's a water filtration system, a storm buffer, a fish nursery, and a carbon sink — all built from what used to be landfill waste. And they need volunteers. This is a great way to get involved in oyster reef restoration that makes a difference.

The Trump administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that the action aims to boost the U.S. commercial fishing industry, lower consumer seafood costs, and improve American seafood competitiveness in global markets.

Conservation Backlash

The decision quickly drew sharp criticism from conservation groups and environmental advocates. Opponents argue that the proclamation damages pristine, biodiverse ecosystems by eliminating critical protections that allow marine life and fish populations to breed, feed, and grow safely. The Conservation Law Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, and Center for Biological Diversity have filed a lawsuit challenging these proclamations. Click on this blog to find out what you can do to support these groups. Image Source Hawaii Public Radio